Wildcat Report

Month: January 2014

This past Sunday evening, the 2014 Lilac Festival’s “Fab 14” took the stage at the Bing Crosby Theater to determine the Lilac Queen and her court of 6 Princesses. When the speeches were completed, and votes tabulated, Mt. Spokane’s own Elise Story was selected as a 2014 Princess! Congratulations, Elise!

Throughout the evening I was struck by the support of our Mt. Spokane community. From the initial candidate introductions that literally ROARED with Wildcat Pride to the final announcements, Mt. Spokane was well represented. Thanks to everyone who made it a priority to attend this past weekend!

The memory that will stick with me, however, was the message behind Elsie’s speech. Uniquely wonderful, Elise spoke about the kind of person she hopesto become as she continues through life. Selfless and thoughtful, her example of US Marines giving of themselves stuck with me long after the coronation. I can’t begin to describe how thankful I am that we have Elsie Story representing Mt. Spokane High School and our incredibly supportive community.

If you needed a reason to attend the annual Torchlight Parade in Downtown Spokane this spring, you now have it front and center!

Today marked the completion of first semester for the 2013/14 school year. As such, semester grades are being tabulated and will be published in the next few days. Please read the following announcements regarding your son or daughter’s grades:

Semester Grades will be available online via PowerSchool on Monday, January 27th by 3:00pm.

Students who earned a “D” or “F” grade will have their report cards mailed home. These report cards will be mailed by Friday, January 31st and should arrive home by Monday, February 3rd or Tuesday, February 4th.

If you would like a hard copy of your student’s grades, please contact Chris Pelton in our Student Services department. She can be reached at 465-7208 and will be happy to assist.

Second semester will be up and running Monday, January 27th! Have a great weekend!

After this week, both teachers and students can say that the 2013/14 school year is, officially, half over. Preparing and completing semester final exams is the culminating event for this statement to ring true, and everyone at MSHS wishes our students the best for a successful week!

This Saturday marked a wonderful weekend for the Mt. Spokane High School dance and drill team. Competing in both hip-hop and drill, our girls competed extremely well!

To qualify for the district competition, teams need to earn a team score of 195 or greater. Teams that end up scoring 210 points or higher at districts earn a spot in the 2014 WIAA State Dance and Drill competition. After the scores were announced at John R. Rogers High School this Saturday, there is plenty of reason for optimism!

With a drill score of 218 points, our Wildcats left the floor feeling confident about their routine and what improvements need to be made in their next competition. The hip-hop routine, however, was absolutely “spot on” as the score of 240.5 would support. Additionally, our girls won the hip-hop division! Great job to all!

John Dressel, MSHS Junior, took his distance running talent to the world stage this past weekend, and his performance didn’t disappoint!

Competing at the 2014 Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross-Country Race on Saturday, John represented the United States of America with five other junior competitors to form a team of six. Amazingly, three of the six competitors from the US hailed from Spokane. (Tanner Anderson and Kai Wilmot from North Central High School were teammates with John on Team USA.)

Running a 6km course, Team USA did very well in the Junior Mens International Challenge. Placing 12th, John ran a time of 19:33, and we are incredibly proud of his continued accomplishments!

Congratulations, John, on your well-deserved selection to Team USA! Everyone at MSHS is proud of your international accomplishments!

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. . . I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” (MLK)

Monday, January 20th is the official day the our nation celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thanks to the efforts of our Mt. Spokane Culture Club, next week our students and staff will engage in “Peace Week” to prepare for Dr. King’s celebration.

Each day has been given a theme, and they are as follows:

Monday – A “Peace Wall” and Cultural Awareness table will be provided for students to access.

Tuesday – An “Anti-Bullying” table will be set-up to provide students with important information.

Wednesday – Everyone at MSHS is encouraged to wear powder blue for a show of support for peace.

Thursday – Cultural Dress Day

Friday – A Food Fair entitled “A Taste of Culture” will be available during both lunches for students to sample.

Thanks to advisor Jocelyn Merhab and her wonderful students in Culture Club for a well-planned week!